Abstract: The present invention relates to genes, proteins and methods comprising molecules that alter amino acid levels. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to altering guanidino substrate hydrolysis activities in plants, arthropods and microorganisms using molecules within the arginase family and other molecules that alter an amino acid levels. In ones embodiment, the present invention relates to altering threonine substrate deamination and dehydration activities in plants, arthropods and microorganisms using molecules within the threonine deaminase family and other molecules that alter amino acid levels. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to using genes, proteins and methods comprising arginase or threonine deaminase for altering the pathophysiology of plants, arthropods and microorganisms. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to altering guanidino substrate hydrolysis activity in plants, arthropods, and microorganisms using arginase.

Abstract: A method of cutting metallic foams that eliminates the problem of smeared surfaces is provided. The method involves infiltration of the foam with another material to serve as a support structure to the foam when being cut. The method can be executed using softer polymeric materials such as waxes, which are then frozen for machining. These materials are subsequently heated and removed from the foam. In a similar manner, epoxy material can be used, which requires no freezing. In this method, the epoxy material is burnt from the foam upon completion of machining. The method allows for machining foams using conventional machining processes, rather than non traditional methods such as electrical discharge machining.

Abstract: Particular aspects of the present disclosure provide bio-resorbable and biocompatible compositions for bioengineering, restoring, or regenerating tissue or bone. In one embodiment, a biocompatible composition includes a three-dimensional porous or non-porous scaffold material comprising a calcium phosphate-based ceramic having at least one dopant therein selected from metal ion dopants or metal oxide dopants. The composition is sufficiently biocompatible to provide for a cell or tissue scaffold, and resorbable at a controlled resorption rate for controlled strength loss under body, body fluid or simulated body fluid conditions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process of producing a trifluoromethoxylated aryl or trifluoromethoxylated heteroaryl having the structure: wherein A is an aryl or heteroaryl, each with or without subsutitution; and R1 is —H, -(alkyl), -(alkenyl), -(alkynyl), -(aryl), -(heteroaryl), -(alkylaryl), -(alkylheteroaryl), —NH-(alkyl), —N(alkyl)7, —NH-(alkenyl), —NH-(alkynyl) —NH-(aryl), —NH-(heteroaryl), —O-(alkyl), —O-(alkenyl), —O-(alkynyl), —O-(aryl), —O-(heteroaryl), —S-(alkyl), —S-(alkenyl), —S-(alkynyl), —S-(aryl), or —S-(heteroaryl), comprising: (a) reacting a compound having the structure: with a trifluoromethylating agent in the presence of a base in a first suitable solvent under conditions to produce a compound having the structure: and (b) maintaining the compound produced in step (a) in a second suitable solvent under conditions sufficient to produce the trifluoromethoxylated aryl or trifluormethoxylated heteroaryl having the structure:

Abstract: An information processing system, which includes a control system and an artificial neural network, is disclosed. The artificial neural network includes a group of neurons and a group of synapses, which includes a first portion and a second portion. The control system selects one of a group of operating modes. The group of neurons processes information. The group of synapses provide connectivity to each of the group of neurons. During a first operating mode of the group of operating modes, the first portion of the group of synapses is enabled and the second portion of the group of synapses is enabled. During a second operating mode of the group of operating modes, the first portion of the group of synapses is enabled and the second portion of the group of synapses is disabled.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein are directed towards a solid state pumping system that utilizes an electric field applied across a channel formed within the solid state pump to move electro-rheological (ER) fluid from an inlet fluidly coupled to a first end of the channel to an outlet fluidly coupled to a second end of the channel. The solid state pumping system may include first, second and third plate with the second plate disposed between the first and third plate. The second plate may include a channel having first and second circuits coupled to opposing sides of the channel. In an embodiment, in response to a voltage applied thereto, the first and second circuits can provide an electric field voltage across the channel such that in response to the electric field voltage the ER fluid moves from the first end to the second end of the channel.

Abstract: Methods for treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The methods include administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of at least one small conductance calcium-activated potassium (SK) channel activator or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof. Pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of ALS, including a therapeutically effective amount of at least one SK channel activator, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, and at least one excipient, adjuvant, or pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to the discovery of novel mammalian lung spheroids and lung spheroid cells and uses thereof.

Abstract: Provided are antisense morpholino oligomers targeted against bacterial virulence factors such as genes that contribute to antibiotic resistance or biofilm formation, or genes associated with fatty acid biosynthesis, and related compositions and methods of using the oligomers and compositions, for instance, in the treatment of an infected mammalian subject.

Abstract: Provided is a method for compensating for tissue motion during magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, and an apparatus for use thereof. The method includes acquiring a plurality of short-time MR scan images; selecting a reference scan image from the acquired plurality of short-time MR scan images; defining a set of transformation images based on the acquired plurality of short-time MR scan images other than the selected reference scan image; registering the reference scan image and the defined set of transformation images; calculating an average of aligned, registered images of the defined set of transformation images; and generating a motion-corrected image based on the calculated average.

Abstract: A modular X-ray computed tomography (XCT) system having a higher degree of modularity provides experimental versatility and in situ capabilities. The modular XCT system includes interchangeable X-ray sources and detectors that allow for the XCT system to be readily adapted to different imaging tasks, such as those that may require different trade-offs between spatial resolution, exposure time, power, and other scanning parameters.

Abstract: The present invention describes subunit vaccines containing Gn and Gc glycoproteins of the Rift Valley Fever Virus, including nucleic acids encoding such glycoproteins, host cells, vectors, and immunoreagents generated with the glycoproteins, methods of vaccination, methods of diagnosis, and kits.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to multi-coordinating polymers as ligands that combine two distinct metal-chelating groups, lipoic acid and imidazole, for the surface functionalization of QDs. These ligands combine the benefits of thiol and imidazole coordination to reduce issues of thiol oxidation and weak binding affinity of imidazole. The ligand design relies on the introduction of controllable numbers of lipoic acid and histamine anchors, along with hydrophilic moieties and reactive functionalities, onto a poly(isobutylene-alt-maleic anhydride) chain via a one-step nucleophilic addition reaction. We further demonstrate that this design is fully compatible with a novel and mild photoligation strategy to promote the in-situ ligand exchange and phase transfer of hydrophobic QDs to aqueous media under borohydride-free conditions. Ligation with these polymers provides highly fluorescent QDs that exhibit great long-term colloidal stability over a wide range of conditions.

Abstract: An active catheter device is provided. At least one elongate catheter segment includes an elongate flexible tube member defining an axis, and a pair of ferrule members operably engaged with and spaced apart along the tube member. The ferrule members are not rotatable about the axis relative to each other. At least one articulation member is operably engaged with and extends at least between the ferrule members along the tube member. Each articulation member is configured to be actuatable to cause a change in a distance between the ferrule members so as to articulate the tube member. Associated systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for integrating thermochemical processing of biomass and anaerobic digestion are provided. Light oxygenated organic compounds are produced as byproducts of thermochemical biomass processing e.g. by torrefaction and/or pyrolysis, and are converted to methane by anaerobic digestion. Thermochemical processing units may or may not be co-located with the anaerobic digestion units, with co-location providing benefits for e.g. rural agricultural enterprises.

Abstract: The methods of the present disclosure are directed toward methods of diagnosis and treatment of cancer in a subject. The present disclosure provides methods of diagnosing abnormal cells in a subject by measuring the level of Hexim-1 in a sample from the subject, where elevated levels of Hexim-1 indicate abnormal cells. This disclosure further provides methods of treating cancer or hyperplasia, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of Hexim-1 or an activator of Hexim-1 expression or activity.

Abstract: A self-powered sensing system is provided for the monitoring of quasi-static structural responses. The sensing system is comprised of: an energy concentrator having a member configured to detect a variation of a physical stimuli and change shape in response to the variation of the physical stimuli, where the variation typically occurs at a frequency less than one Hertz; a transducer coupled the member of the energy concentrator and generates a voltage in response to the change in shape of the member; and an event logging circuit configured to receive the voltage from the transducer and log the voltage in a non-volatile memory. Physical stimuli may include temperature, pressure or an applied force.

Abstract: ‘NCIV3’ is a new male tetraploid cultivar of deciduous holly with a compact, roughly rounded growth habit.

Abstract: A radiation detection system is disclosed comprising of number of detector elements arranged in a regular pattern that allows for directional information to be collected based on the number of radiation interaction events in each detection element. This system is mounted to an unmanned vehicle. In some embodiments, this information is used by the motion control unit of the unmanned vehicle to guide its movement toward a radiation source. A radiation spectrometer, also integrated in the detection system, is able to identify radiation sources.

Abstract: A new and distinct Buddleja cultivar named ‘MISS PEARL’ is disclosed, characterized by white ruffled flowers, upright spike-like inflorescences, compact growth habit with high lateral branching and dense foliage, medium green leaf color (adaxial side) with silver-gray underside. Plants are female sterile and anthers malformed or lacking. The new variety is a Buddleja, normally produced as an outdoor garden or container plant.